FEE hikes triggered by budget cuts at Victoria University has forced Corey Beckers to ditch his dream.
With VU culling several courses and raising fees in others due to savage TAFE cuts, the Tarneit 20-year-old’s ambitions of pursuing a job in visual arts slipped away. He made other arrangements when VU’s diploma fees skyrocketed from $2500 to more than $7000.
Concession fees for students under 25 studying a diploma or advanced diploma course have also been removed.
“I started doing a certificate III in children’s services last week, even though I wanted to do something with art. I love to paint and draw and be creative… But VU’s prices have risen and I’m not rich, I come from a very middle-class background so we do have to think about money,” Mr Beckers said.
While similar visual arts courses were on offer elsewhere, poor public transport links from Wyndham meant he couldn’t access them without a car. Mr Beckers said TAFE cuts proved the state government was “out of touch” with working families who wanted vocational opportunities. —Nick Toscano
